MONASTERY OF ZOČIŠTE CELEBRATES ITS PATRON SAINT'S DAY

ORAHOVAC, JULY 14 /SRNA/ - The patron saint's day of the Monastery of Zočište near Orahovac, the Holy Unmercenary Healers Cosmas and Damian, was solemnly celebrated today, with Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška and Prizren urging the faithful to place their trust in God no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.

The Monastery of Zočište has for centuries been known as a place of prayer and hope, particularly for the miraculous relics of the Holy Healers, which are believed to possess healing powers, Radio Television Gračanica reported. Metropolitan Teodosije said that today few people would do good for others without expecting anything in return or seeking payment for it. "But God's saints knew that true wealth lies in what we give to others, not in what we keep for ourselves. That is completely contrary to the logic of this world and to what the sons of this world strive for," the bishop said in his sermon. The Metropolitan also stressed that as long as Serbian holy sites remain present in Kosovo, this will continue to be a place of salvation for the Serbian people, noting that the monks and faithful who refuse to leave these sacred places do so primarily out of love for God and for the holy sites themselves. "We must preserve these holy sites and this holy land. And no matter how difficult things may be - and I can tell you that in the past the situation was far more difficult and our forefathers endured it better than we do today - we should place our trust in God and in the prayers of the Holy Healers," Bishop Teodosije said. On the monastery's patron saint's day, large numbers of believers gather in Zočište from all parts of Kosovo, as well as from central Serbia and the wider region. The patron saint's day of the monastery was solemnly celebrated today at the Monastery of the Holy Healers Cosmas and Damian near Leška. A large number of worshippers gathered at this holy site to attend the liturgy and celebrate the feast together.